Originally Posted By TheLookingGlass:
My friend has been in the hospital for over 2 years now but is getting out soon. He is a Vietnam chopper pilot and due to diabetes has gotten foot/leg infections which resulted in the loss of his feet and eventually, his legs. He is finally getting out of hospital soon and has been talking to me about how much he wants to get a Derringer to carry on him when he is out in public. (As a side note I kind of think there are better options for a self defense gun then a Derringer but who am I to argue with a Vietnam Veteran) So, I want to get him a Derringer as a gift to mark the occasion and to be a good friend. This guy deserves it. He has been through hell in the last few years.
However, I know Nothing about Derringers other then what the typical mug knows. I have been reading up on them the last few days so I don't get him something dumb. But I thought I would see if anyone here has a recommendation on what to get him? My price range is under a grand or so.
Thanks for any help.
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Vietnam was a bit before my time, but I'm reasonably certain they weren't issuing derringers to soldiers in Southeast Asia. As such, you shouldn't really use his service there as reason to not argue the point. Shit, my dad is a Vietnam Vet, but I know for a fact his time spent packing and unpacking cargo on air bases in Thailand while in the USAF doesn't make him a firearms expert. Not to mention, he's old and, judging by the fact he's recently lost his feet to diabetes, has a history of making bad decisions.
Maybe he's so old that the only guns he thinks are that size are derringers. Maybe he doesn't have the first clue that there are .380 and 9mm semi-autos not much bigger than derringers and that they're even available for around the same price.
Take the old due to the range and show him some Ruger LCP's, Glock 42/43/43X's, and Sig P365's. He might just realize that they're better defensive choices than slow ass derringers with only two shots and shitty sights.